1962 Fiat 600 Jolly  Coachwork by Ghia Beach Car

THE 600 JOLLYUndoubtedly the most endearing variant of the eponymous Fiat 600 was the Jolly, an open runabout intended for beach resorts and other tourist destinations. Created by Ghia on the 600 base, the cars featured weather-resistant wicker seats and a fringed surrey top for protection from the sun.The 600, introduced in 1955, was Fiat's successor to the long-running 500 Topolino. Built on the original 500's 2,000 mm (79-inch) wheelbase, the new car had a larger, 633cc water-cooled four, with the added benefit of a water pump. The body was unitary and suspension was independent all around, with a transverse leaf in front and coil springs and trailing arms to the rear. An efficient package, it seated four in a space no larger than the two-passenger Topolino. Debuted at the Geneva show, it was an immediate hit. By 1961, production reached 1,000 a day. The first prototype Jollys were seen in 1956, though production, which was always in small quantities, did not get under way until 1958. Some 200 were built initially, with one delivered to Henry Ford II. Comparatively expensive (nearly twice the price of the basic model 600), the tended to be purchased by wealthy owners with large yachts, among them Aristotle Onassis. A fleet of 32 furnished taxi service on Catalina Island off the coast of California.THE MOTORCAR OFFEREDThis rare and delightful Jolly is not only the less commonly seen 600 version, but it has had only one owner from new. Purchased new in September of 1962 for 834,644 lire ($1,875), the new Jolly was, appropriately, delivered to Monte Carlo. Finished in seafoam green with the trademark wicker seats, the car was used and enjoyed, with copies of old UK registrations and insurance correspondence documenting this. In 1973, the owner wrote to his insurer regarding his permission to allow a friend to drive the epitome of beachy pleasure from Boulogne on the Cap d'Antibes—a 1,200km journey that no doubt made for some exciting stories.Maintaining the car in UK through the early 2000s, it was then brought stateside. Sparingly used in recent years, it has been carefully stored and has a lovely patina to it that is almost never seen on these joy machines. Having been stored on static display for the last few years, some recommissioning is recommended before setting off for the beach. Complete with the aforementioned documentation throughout its history, it also retains its original jack in its burlap bag, books and manuals, and so much character you'd need a mega yacht to contain it all. Now ready for its second owner, it is one of only 100-or-so survivors, and surely one of the only ones coming from its original keeper.